As fewer profess faith, research shows religion and spirituality improve well-being, mental health

Four Hundred Research Studies

Decades of data gathered in a single study released last fall shows that a relationship with God improves mental health and well-being.  This study was released during the fourth annual International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, D.C.

Gallup and the Radiant Foundation sifted through decades of Gallup surveys of tens of thousands of people in 140 countries as well as more than 400 validated research studies. They found measurable proof that religion and spirituality provide positive benefits.

The Benefits

“Our relationship with God heals,” Angela Redding said. “Every study that we’ve seen suggests that with a relationship with God, suicide rates go down, depression goes down, anxiety goes down.” Data shows there is a worldwide connection between spirituality and well-being, evidence of measurable benefits from religion and spirituality,

But Gallup surveys show that the number of Americans who say religion is an important part of their daily lives has fallen from 59% in 1999 to 46% in 2022.

So, what’s going on here?

The perception problem

When religion and spirituality provide quantifiable benefits to people’s well-being and mental health, why then are people turning away from religion?

Redding said additional research provides some answers. Religion and spirituality have a perception problem. Increasingly, religion is seen as divisive at the very time data shows it is healing.

An AI-enabled study of over 30 million pieces of content that found that 63% of faith-related content is rooted in controversy. An additional 11% was extreme in nature, including hate speech.

“So, three-quarters of our media and entertainment diet is not representative of what we all know to be true about religion and faith, that it’s ennobling.  Actually, it’s personal and it’s a lived experience,” Redding said. “Instead, what we see is political, it’s divisive and often sensationalized and stereotyped.”

The Media Bias

“You wouldn’t know that by how people of faith and religion are portrayed in popular media,” Redding said.

Spirituality helps or reduces the rates of those struggling with mental health challenges.  Those include depression, anxiety, suicide and more, according to the data compiled by Gallup and the Radiant Foundation.

The research found that spirituality affects well-being in five key ways:

First:  it provides positive purpose and coping in life.

Second:   it facilitates faith-based social connections.

Third:   it fuels community and civic engagement.

Fourth: it adds structural stability

Fifth:   it can enhance a workplace seeking to support holistic well-being for employees.

“Our global community is pleading for shared healing” Redding said. “and we here have the power to change the narrative.  Also, to support those who elevate all faiths in all cultures. My call to action for us all today is, let’s partner to bring peace, human fraternity and tolerance to the world.”

“The data reaffirms my belief that faith is something that you can hang on to through tough times, and it’s going to help you,” said Anila Ali, president and CEO of the American Muslim and Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council.

Ali also suggested that adults should help young Americans have more conversations.

“They’re not losing faith, they’re questioning it,” she said. “And I feel that we can be better role models and come together and show them religion does not divide, religion finds solutions.”

The Gallup/Radiant study showed that when people share their spirituality and beliefs, the whole community is empowered.

Article published by deseret.com©

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